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| Mantalai on reformation - Inadequate surveillance | | | Vinod Chandrashekhar DixitJamwal Mahadeep Singh | 7/19/2018 11:12:43 PM |
| Ahead of orchestrating on the subject, as a freelance writer, I like to compute here that article is not to advocate someone or undervalue the efforts of others, but to high light the selfless efforts of some gems of society, for salutation and as an encouragement to others to follow their foot prints. After the achievement, it is a trend to get credit of the same by political parties and representatives there of as MPs and MLAs, as vote bank politics. They should comprehend, it is their duty as mandated representative to feature such pictures and to pursue them in power corridors and they are paid for that out of tax payer's money.
The gleaming insistence for the past scattering years for a "Yoga facilitation" by starry-eyes from the district Udhampur was forwarded by Late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, when during 'J&K Tourism Conference', he announced 'International Yoga Centre' at Mantalai, on March 25, 2015. Least in the public domain, that it was not a miraculous announcement but as an outcome of accumulated efforts of joint minds and Dr. Sharma acting as catalyst accelerated the reaction to precipitating stage. Dr. KC Sharma, recipients of National and international awards (Innovations), renowned chief consultant surgeon, front liner social activist, revolutionary ideologist, promoter of Dogra heritage and pioneering figure in organizing Yoga events at Mantalai, kept the spirit of everyone in high venture for the cause. The purposed and approved site for Yoga centre carry the old memories of this place as 'Aprna Ashram' a place perched on a high spur overlooking the river Tawi and legacy of late Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari having very high ambitious plan of making the Mantalai Ashram, a unique socio-cultural centre of Yoga in Jammu of international status. This way a sleepy place was brought on scenario of modern vibrations of prosperity of Yoga, an ancient practice that brings mind and body together. Life is considered as highest of all books and the medium to read this book is Yoga. It incorporates breathing exercises, meditation and poses designed to encourage relaxes and reduce stress. After the death of Brahmachari, the Ashram was taken over by the J&K Government and given in the control of Patnitop Development Authority (PDA).
The total apathy and lack of interest on the part of the PDA authorities pushed this entire place in shambles and turned it into a desolate spot, where nobody feels even the smallest iota of peace and solace. Realizing the un-utilized land lying peril free chunk for locals to encroach upon, where an International Yoga University was in developing stage, the idea envisioned took to wings by Dr. Sharma somewhere in 2007 by highlighting through writings on the subject.
The land was in progressive use during Dhirendra Brahmachari, a spiritual leader and yoga instructor, a confidant of late PM Indira Gandhi, losing his life in a plane crash in 1994. Dhirendra Brahmachari taught Yoga to India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and his daughter, Indira Gandhi, becoming PM laterally. Her frequent stay at this Yoga centre used to make this place an epicenter of politics.
I carry the memories of the Mantalai, much in publicity during 1975's college days era, when visits to Mantalai was a regular feature along with other college time friends not as an escape from studies but because of the fascination and attractions coming up there as 'Heart' shape designed swimming pool, well maintained walk ways with varieties of attractive flowering beds alongside, much fascinating four/five feet apple trees well laden with hanging apples, a Zoo with varieties of wild life, well-built and healthy milky cows in coolers and fan laid accommodation.
A hustle bustle of foreign visitors for Yoga meditation and Brahamchari's love and affection for the site and visitors was magical. A regular bus service under special permit with much less fair was available under the banner 'Aparna Bus Service' in-between Udhampur and Mantalai managed by a Verma family from Udhampur. After the sad demise of Dhirendra Brahmachari, all hustle bustles in the area came to stand still and it became visitation spot for rare visitors that too only to have a view of the crashed helicopter's wreckage preserved in a large tin shed. The area being out of the site of the authorities became easy encroachment site for adjoin dwellers.
The reference of some of Dr. Sharma's correspondence deserve here to link Dr. Sharma's effort in the resultant announcement and ongoing work at Mantalai such as: April 2007: correspondence with Yog Guru, S/Sh Ram Dev, Shri Shri Ravi Shanker, and with Sh. Nav Jogindra Swami of 'Krishna Conscious Mission. 2008-09: correspondence with the then Health Minister of India and face to face with him in New Delhi, presenting video graphed topography of Mantali and outline of project for 'yoga University' with detail provisioning of 'Herbal Garden', 'Yoga Research Centre', 'Museum' and a 'Zoo'. 2010: Direct talks with S/Sh. Arvind, Rakesh and Dr. Jaideep Arya of 'Patanjli', at Haridwar, correspondence with the then CM of J&K, and detail discussions with Swami Ram Dev je during his visit to Udhampur. 2011: Meeting with International Yoga authorities visiting Haridwar. The efforts have in its fold from 2011 to 2015, managing of detail survey by PDA, meeting with Yoga authorities at Haridwar, memorandum to MP and MoS in PMO, memorandum to Sh Narinder Modi PM during his visit to udhampur.
The concerted efforts and the announcement of late CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed brought results when Ministry of Tourism, Government of India reportedly, sanctioned an amount of Rs 82.17 crore under the Prime Minister's Development Programme (PMDP) against sanctioned cost of Rs 97.82 of the Mantalai-Sudhmahadev-Patnitop circuit project, to establish Yoga centre at Mantalai of International level. The yoga centre with associated infrastructure, wellness, Sanus Per Aquam, 'SPA' (a location where mineral-rich spring water is used to give medicinal baths), Ayurveda complex, separate area for traditional Indian SPA therapies with library and archiving centre are the unique features of this 'International Yoga Centre' (IYC). The amount sanctioned, work wise is: Rs 10 crore for infrastructure and equipment, 8.5 croe for wellness and Ayurveda complex, Rs 7 crore for tourist facilitation centre, Rs 2.75 crore for cafeteria and wash rooms, Rs 10.92 crore for accomadation providing one and double bed rooms, Rs 1.50 crore for developing eco-friendly parking facility and for promotion of herbal garden, Rs 2.50 crore for 'meditation enclave", Rs. two crore to augument heliport and allied facilities, Rs. 4.50 crore for 'Meditation Practice Theatre' equipped with green rooms, Rs. 5.85 crore for landscaping, walk ways, illumination, and zones for children's activities, Rs 1.20 crore for parking facilities, Rs. 2.50 crore for protection and safety by way of fencing and security check points, and five crore for fountains on rainwater harvesting technique. The work of the purposed International Yoga Centre entrusted to National Project Construction Corporation (NPCC).
The concern disturbing every visitor to Mantalai has consolidated on following observations: The work at site is going on at snails speed that too only on one aspect of this IYC, whereas funds stand sanctioned for every aspect of the establishing this Yoga centre, why? Cannot the work be allotted to different executors, expert of their field? There is no nodal agency to supervise the work being carried at the liking of the executing agency. A supervisory body drawn from different fields of their expertise such as: civil construction, forest, gardens and parks, tourism, wild life, Yoga experts, and some neutral personalities from civil society of high repute. This body apart from keeping a hawk's eye on execution of work will also act as watch dogs for siphoning of funds and ensuring quality work to avoid any enquiry in this project after completion. Some responsibility deserves to be shouldered on by posting some authority of the IYC such as Project Director of the establishment especially from the field of the Yoga.
I dare not to part with the script without referring the Mantalai as religious pilgrimage destination for the Hindus from very early times. The Archaeological chapter of Mantalai claims its link with marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati as per old legends and Mantalai as capital headquarters of Chandervanshi kings from early medieval period, who came from Bundelkhand and established a strong Kingdom with the help of local Megh Raja of Mantalai area. The reference is in public domain through media in the shape of "Letters to Editor" well written by one Sh. Rajinder Chand Anthal, retired ZEO hailing from Chenani, well acclimatized with Dogra heritage and culture. |
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